Mr. O conducted a scientific investigation into hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions and the effects on cells within such a solution. Mr. O introduced the lesson by reviewing the definitions of the three terms. He then introduced the procedure and purpose for the upcoming lab. The students already had assigned lab partners that they chose at the beginning of the quarter. Therefore, when Mr. O was done explaining the lab, the students split up into their groups and collected that materials that they needed for the assignment.
Mr. O engaged higher level thinking by asking students to determine, based on their observations of the induced effects on their cells, which solution was hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic. Students were then required to explain why they made their decision using their own words and expamles from the lab.
I value scientific investigations in my own classroom as well. However, I think that I would have put more emphasis on the scientific method and ask students to develope a hypothesis based on the information that was provided. This would allow them to create a colclusion at the end of the lab report that either proves or disproves their origional hypothesis. I feel that this is important for students to clarify their personal misconceptions or reinforce their origional thinking and enourage them to take academic risks in their thinking.
Westerly High School
Reflection #3
Mr. O conducted a scientific investigation into hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions and the effects on cells within such a solution. Mr. O introduced the lesson by reviewing the definitions of the three terms. He then introduced the procedure and purpose for the upcoming lab. The students already had assigned lab partners that they chose at the beginning of the quarter. Therefore, when Mr. O was done explaining the lab, the students split up into their groups and collected that materials that they needed for the assignment.
Mr. O engaged higher level thinking by asking students to determine, based on their observations of the induced effects on their cells, which solution was hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic. Students were then required to explain why they made their decision using their own words and expamles from the lab.
I value scientific investigations in my own classroom as well. However, I think that I would have put more emphasis on the scientific method and ask students to develope a hypothesis based on the information that was provided. This would allow them to create a colclusion at the end of the lab report that either proves or disproves their origional hypothesis. I feel that this is important for students to clarify their personal misconceptions or reinforce their origional thinking and enourage them to take academic risks in their thinking.